A Golden Crown

Dandelion: A golden crown
(Click picture for larger view)

"It gives one a sudden start in going down a barren, stony street, to see upon a narrow strip of grass, just within the iron fence, the radiant dandelion, shining in the grass, like a spark dropped from the sun." ~ Henry Ward Beecher

The roses may have aphids, my wildflowers may be decimated by grasshoppers, the four o'clocks may be overwhelmed by the heat and the daylily overcome by drought; but there are still golden sparks of color in the yard. Dandelions: resistant to everything, self-perpetuating, impervious, wild, untamed, weed. Yet, from this angle and with the setting sun filtering through the petals, it reminds me of a golden crown; a royal flower.

Submission for LensDay topic "golden". (end of post)